Paj Sport vs MUX

[Merts]

I'd strongly suggest reading negative comments regarding vehicles which aren't Toyota or Nissan on most 4WD forums with a healthy dose of scepticism. Tribalism is alive and well in the 4WD community, and frankly some of the Toyo and Patrol boys have views that are best ignored.

The reason you won't find a great deal of problems reported regarding the Pajero is that it's a well thought out, suitable for purpose vehicle, which doesn't suffer from many issues. They are a comfortable and reliable daily driver, and with the appropriate suspension mods are also a decent tow tug and weekend off-roader.

[bennyb29]

Is a Pajero a hard-core off-road weapon that will keep up with Land Cruisers and Patrols everywhere? No, it's not. Is it the ultimate outback touring machine? No, it's not. But it has the capability to perform very well in both scenarios - with the right driver, capable of recognising the right lines, and driving to the vehicle's strengths (e.g. ample power/torque, good traction control, good clearance under diffs) and weaknesses (e.g. less clearance under side steps / door sills / rear sand scoop).


But it is a much more capable off-road vehicle than the average Nissota driver will ever realise, and can regularly drive with ease tracks that Nissota drivers consider hard core.

The rear sand scoop has been blown out of proportion, more so thanks to a certain youtuber from South Africa.

For those who think the Pajero is not overland capable, i just point them in the direction of this thread/link who is a fellow member on this forum.

https://www.5gooverland.com/past-adventures

Occasionally somebody will join this forum and tell us all about some "common fault" that their mechanic has told them about, and it's often news to us. This is probably the biggest Pajero forum on the internet, which has been running in various guises since about the year 2000, so if we don't know about it, it's not really "common".

Agree about this forum.

[ActionDan]

I'd strongly suggest reading negative comments regarding vehicles which aren't Toyota or Nissan on most 4WD forums with a healthy dose of scepticism. Tribalism is alive and well in the 4WD community, and frankly some of the Toyo and Patrol boys have views that are best ignored.

The reason you won't find a great deal of problems reported regarding the Pajero is that it's a well thought out, suitable for purpose vehicle, which doesn't suffer from many issues. They are a comfortable and reliable daily driver, and with the appropriate suspension mods are also a decent tow tug and weekend off-roader.

The more I read and discuss, the more I think this also.

[nj swb]

The rear sand scoop has been blown out of proportion, more so thanks to a certain youtuber from South Africa.

I don't disagree - I was struggling to think of some "weaknesses".

[Nab]

I have had Patrols and a Pajero, the patrol eats the Pajero in hard core 4x4ing, namely the clearance and wheel travel over rocks etc. and better on the corrugations. General 4x4ing(beach, bush tracks etc) and everyday driving the Pajero was hands down a much better vehicle.

I think you are overthinking this, if you want to go hardcore off-roading it is hard to go past the Patrol and Landcruiser for strength, capability and spare part availability. If not going hardcore 4x4ing any of the current 4x4s on the market will be capable of what you ask of it. Just choose one that you like the most, is most comfortable and fits your budget.

[ActionDan]

I have had Patrols and a Pajero, the patrol eats the Pajero in hard core 4x4ing, namely the clearance and wheel travel over rocks etc. and better on the corrugations. General 4x4ing(beach, bush tracks etc) and everyday driving the Pajero was hands down a much better vehicle.

I think you are overthinking this, if you want to go hardcore off-roading it is hard to go past the Patrol and Landcruiser for strength, capability and spare part availability. If not going hardcore 4x4ing any of the current 4x4s on the market will be capable of what you ask of it. Just choose one that you like the most, is most comfortable and fits your budget.

Appreciate it, the forum posts were also about flushing out common faults in candidates, which has revealed some alarming info and has certainly helped colour my expectations.

Certainly not taking up 4wd'ing as a hobby, bush tracks, camping/exploring, and property work only.

Patrols in this price range are horrible beasties, I would actually go a 100 series over a GU.

[Zandit75]

I'm not sure if you've come across this video comparison. Seems pretty cut and dried.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPxmaSfbIck

[ron2503]

I'm not sure if you've come across this video comparison. Seems pretty cut and dried.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPxmaSfbIck

There was also a comparison done in 2016 between the PS and the NX Pajero by Which Car asking the question "Is the PS a real replacement for the Pajero?".

https://www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/road-tests/mitsubishi-pajero-vs-mitsubishi-pajero-sport

[ActionDan]

I'm not sure if you've come across this video comparison. Seems pretty cut and dried.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPxmaSfbIck

Did see, but have since moved away from those options.

There was also a comparison done in 2016 between the PS and the NX Pajero by Which Car asking the question "Is the PS a real replacement for the Pajero?".

https://www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/...i-pajero-sport

Yep saw that one too, was a very light comparison but alas, nothing beats driving back to back yourself I guess.

[bennyb29]

Yep saw that one too, was a very light comparison but alas, nothing beats driving back to back yourself I guess.

Any updates on your purchase?

[ActionDan]

Any updates on your purchase?

Hoping to get out to some dealerships this weekend, babysitter permitting as it's hard to test drive with 2 kids needing car seats 0_0 Hoping to test drive Paj, Fortuner, and another Prado for comparison.

Have just seen my new work contract and the car allowance is decent so now I need to work out if I buy the car outright myself or if I finance (chattel mortgage) something. Would still stick roughly to my budget either way,

Will discuss with accountant.

In short(ish) my current views are;

Paj: Best bang for buck, seems most reliable of all three on paper. A little noisy, dated, basic inside. Rear swinging door
Prado: 2.8 seems to have less issue with timing chains due to addition of balance shaft, DPF and air filter still needs to be addressed. Most expensive option if comparing k's, or end up with higher k's model. People argue they handle the best but I found them a bit floaty/wallowy. Bonus: Can be had in petrol so no diesel issues at all but heavier on fuel and "wants" 95, I say wants as people have run them happily on 91. Rear swinging door 3L TD versions put holes in pistons due to injector issues so would need to plan for the 3-4k in replacements. Apparently a scangauge shows injector values going out of spec before it happens...
Fortuner: Possibly the nicest to drive of the lot for me, big questions over the 2.8L engine reliability with known timing chain and DPF issues plus dust past filters. Split tailgate a big bonus.

I realise Prado can be had with split tailgate too, but rare and I'm not buying new.

I pretty much have analysis paralysis

[RUGGA]

I pretty much have analysis paralysis

You need to change your forum user name

[ActionDan]

You need to change your forum user name

It's ironic isn't it...

The nickname came from my younger days, full impulse decision making, go with gut or whatever.

As I've gotten older (and been burned so many times) I've become NoActionDan lol

[nj swb]

Prado: People argue they handle the best.

Really? Who? Where?

In my opinion (and limited experience, from 2012), Prado was undeniably smoother and quieter than Pajero, which I put down to the Lexus heritage. But I'm still amazed by how well my large, heavy, lifted NT handles the Adelaide hills. Sure its no sports car, but I'm generally being the one held up by others. A live axle Prado, with its famous "supple, long travel suspension" (i.e. soft) handle better?

[BruceandBobbi]

I drove my mates Prado once. Reminded me of taking the Manly ferry across to Sydney with a big swell coming through Sydney Heads as a teenager.